Council approves street closures for Blueberry Festival and Ben Fisher Memorial cruise-in with conditions

Plymouth — The Common Council on Aug. 11 approved two event-related street-closure requests, granting the signatures and permissions city staff said NDOT requires for temporary closures that divert traffic from a state highway.

Anthony Witt (speaker 12), representing the Blueberry Festival, asked for city signatures on a state detour/closure authorization for a Sept. 1 temporary closure from Parkview to Jefferson for the blueberry stomp. Witt said NDOT now requires city permission when a state highway is closed and traffic diverted to city or county roads. Councilors discussed routing and agreed to extend the permit to La Porte Street to ensure the detour is covered; the council approved the request with that adjustment. Witt said he will obtain the two required signature lines and work with the NDOT contact.

Separately the Ben Fisher Memorial Foundation requested a closure of Berenberg Street north of West Jefferson to West Madison for its rescheduled cruise-in on Aug. 29. Staff said organizers will supply cones, barriers and signs and have coordinated with the sheriff’s office and a private traffic-control firm. The council approved the Ben Fisher request; members noted that any plan to cross Jefferson Street would require the group to return to the council for separate approval.

Both approvals were routine votes taken after staff and applicants described traffic control and coordination plans. Councilors asked applicants to secure required signatures and coordinate with law enforcement for traffic control.

What happens next: Staff will sign and record the NDOT authorization for the Blueberry Festival, and organizers will finalize traffic-control plans and required signatures for both events.